Shady Al Hady on Diaspora, Nostalgia, and the Intersection of Digital and Analog Art

Palestinian-Jordanian artist Shady Al Hady, raised in Kuwait, discusses how his childhood fascination with early digital tools like Microsoft Paint and Photoshop evolved into a profound artistic journey that seamlessly interlaces graphic design with paintings evoking nostalgia. Growing up in the diaspora, traveling between Kuwait and Jordan, and observing hand-painted signs in Kuwait's Ahmadi souk versus consistent design styles in Jordan shaped his visual language. His series 'Airport Road' (2021) features airplanes and cars, inspired by living under a flight path and the emotional intensity of airports. Al Hady's recent exhibition 'في رحلته الأولى ، شعر بالمتعة و السرور' (On his first journey, he felt joy and happiness) at Gallery Bawa in Kuwait showcased paintings spanning years, triggering memories and visitor curiosity. He describes the transition from digital to painting as complementary: sketching by hand, scanning into Illustrator or Photoshop, editing, then transferring to canvas. Al Hady studied graphic design at university, where mandatory hand-drawing courses deepened his connection to physical media. He notes that while the internet is homogenizing global art styles, the contrast between Jordan's cultural continuity and Kuwait's eclectic influences remains. The interview appears in Canvas 114: Once Upon A Time.